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@GovLoop 5 Millennial Goals for 2016

Ready to kick off 2016? I’m sure by now you’ve read all the New Year’s Resolutions posts out there. You’ve made the list: sleep more, exercise, eat healthy, read more books, travel.

But what about your professional goals? I don’t know about you, but 2016 is going to be a big year for me, both professionally and personally. As I get ready to finish my master’s program, I (like a lot of you out there) face a tough, public sector job market, impending student loans, and a host of questions regarding what’s next for my career. The good news is this is the best time for us to explore, put ourselves out there, and discover what we love doing that also helps us earn a living.

I’ve compiled a list of professional goals for this year. They’re some of my own ideas and also inspired by research and business posts for millennials. Use these 5 goals as a guide for the year 2016 to help get you out of your comfort zone and reaching new heights in your professional journey.

Outline a career plan. Now is the time to explore your professional aspirations. Write down what you want to do right now and what you want to do in the long run. For the short-term, a good start is to look for entry-level positions with titles like associate, assistant, coordinator, and analyst.

Furnish your brand. Branding yourself entails defining yourself, your values, and your goals. Now is the time to really focus on figuring out who you are, not just as a person, but also as a professional. What drives you? What purpose do you feel like you’re meant to serve? This may sound overwhelming, but fortunately there are many tips out there to help make it easier for you to establish your personal brand. Additionally, you’ll make it easier for potential employers out there to identify you.

Reach out to potential mentors. Whether they’re professors, former supervisors, or someone you look up to in your current organization or an organization you hope to work for, now is the time to get in touch. You may feel too much time has passed and maybe the person won’t remember you, but it’s definitely worth getting out of your comfort zone to follow up. For email subject lines, I simply say: “Checking In,” or “Happy New Year.”

Get yourself out there. I want 2016 to be a year of networking and events for me. They say it’s the name of the game in DC, especially for government and public sector jobs. One goal I have is to attend at least one professional/networking-related event per month. It’s important for getting yourself out there, meeting other professionals with your interests, and sewing seeds for the future.

Take calculated risks. Being a young professional has its advantages in that you have more room to explore and take risks at this stage in your professional journey than you probably would later in life. So apply for that high-reach job, reach out to people at your dream agency, or maybe it’s time to leave your current job and pursue your real passion.